College Volleyball
Marist College 3, Rider University 1
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Match
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y.--The Rider University volleyball team took a set off Marist College before losing 3-1 in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference match Sunday afternoon.
The Red Foxes won 25-17, 21-25, 25-19, 25-21 in a match that saw 27 ties and 12 lead changes.
"We had moments of brilliance and moments where we couldn't get anything going," said head coach Christopher Feliciano. "I thought that Kayla (Wong) and Jaclyn (Webber) did a great job today against Marist. They pretty much carried us the whole day."
For Rider (4-20, 2-10 MAAC), freshman Kayla Wong (Tustin, Calif./Arnold O. Beckman) had 13 kills, six digs and three blocks with freshman Jaclyn Webber (Anaheim, Calif./Canyon) adding 11 kills, 10 digs and two blocks. For Webber it was her sixth 'double-double' of the season.
"Don't forget, Marist was in the finals only two seasons ago," Feliciano added. "We battled them for the most part, point for point and we are pleased with that effort."
Also for the Broncs, freshman Ashlee Amatulli (Menifee, Calif./Temecula Valley) had 31 assists and freshman Shelbie Stannard (Alvin, Texas/Alvin) had 20 digs.
Rider lost to Marist 3-1 in Lawrenceville on September 17. Former Northeast Conference rivals, Rider has won 13 of the 30 matches all-time against Marist. The Broncs defeated the Red Foxes in two out of three matches last season including a 3-0 win in the MAAC Championship Tournament and a 3-2 win in Alumni Gym that saw the Broncs rally from two sets down.
"We didn't play a good match at all against Siena yesterday," Feliciano said. "It was just a bad day. Today, we came out and fought and battled, the scores were really tight and there were times that we competed at a high level and that was exciting to witness. We were point for point in sets two, three and four."
Rider has lost nine straight.
"We are still having moments where our inexperience shows and when we don't put sets away," Feliciano added. "Case in point, we had 12 service aces but 10 service errors. And the errors really came at inopportune times. We use the frustration of not winning some of the close matches to get in the gym and work harder in practice and that's a positive. All 16 players have bought in to what we are trying to do and I'm happy with their desire to go out and compete. We understand the process but the players want to win and want to win now and that 'no quit' feeling is good."
The Broncs host Iona on October 29 at 1pm in a MAAC match and finish with four out of five at home. That match will be Dig Pink to raise money and awareness in the fight against breast cancer.
"It will feel good to be home," Feliciano said. "You have more time for your studies, you get a home crowd at your matches; logistically things are a little easier than being on the road."
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